A relationship that's making waves: the age gap between cricket legend Peter Siddle and his girlfriend, Hannah Burgess, has sparked a controversial debate.
Siddle, an iconic figure in Australian cricket, has been dating Burgess for over a year, but it was a simple Instagram post that ignited the controversy. The former Test star's achievement of reaching 100 Big Bash games was celebrated by his girlfriend, and this innocent gesture became the catalyst for a storm of jokes and comments.
On the popular sports podcast, Off-Field Drama, hosts Stirling Farquhar and Samuel Burke took aim at the couple, using their age difference as fodder for their jokes. Farquhar quipped, "They're calling him Nathan Cleary... 40/20!" in reference to Cleary's reputation as a 40/20 specialist. He then went on to make light of Siddle's age, comparing it to his girlfriend's presumed age of 20.
But here's where it gets controversial: the podcast hosts' jokes crossed a line for many listeners. Burke's comment about Siddle's 'dad' greeting his 'daughter's boyfriend' at Christmas lunch was seen as inappropriate and insensitive. Farquhar's remark about Siddle bowling a hat-trick while his girlfriend was in preschool was also met with criticism.
The episode even misquoted Siddle's age, stating he was 40 when he's actually 41. Burgess's age remains unknown, but her recent university graduation suggests she's likely older than 20, adding another layer of complexity to the age gap narrative.
Despite the controversy, Burgess embraced the jokes, responding playfully to the comments on her Instagram post. She even liked a reply that joked about her bleached hair, further fueling the age-related humor.
News.com.au reached out to Peter Siddle for comment, but the couple has remained relatively open about their relationship. Siddle first appeared on Burgess's Instagram in November 2024, and since then, they've shared their travels, date nights, and Big Bash experiences with their followers.
And this is the part most people miss: Siddle's relationship with Burgess marks his first public partnership since his split from his wife of five years, Anna Weatherlake, in August 2022. It's a new chapter for the cricket legend, one that's certainly generating buzz and sparking conversations.
So, what do you think? Is this age gap relationship a harmless joke, or does it cross a line? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
